Are you aged 16 or under (or know someone who is) and passionate about birding? The Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition is back for 2026, celebrating young talent, enthusiasm and birding skill as part of the Spurn Migration Festival (MigFest) – something the competition's creator, Martin Garner, was deeply passionate about.
04 June 2026
Are you aged 16 or under (or know someone who is) and passionate about birding? The Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition is back for 2026, celebrating young talent, enthusiasm and birding skill as part of the Spurn Migration Festival (MigFest) – something the competition's creator, Martin Garner, was deeply passionate about.
This is a fantastic opportunity for young birders to put their knowledge and fieldcraft to the test in a supportive and friendly environment while becoming part of the wider MigFest community. Finalists will enjoy a morning of birding, identification tests and migration- and distribution-themed questions, guided by experienced birders and members of the competition team across some of Spurn's most exciting birding locations, before rounding off the morning with a well-earned buffet lunch.
Six finalists will be selected to take part in the final, with three places available in each age category (Under 14 and 14–16). Assessments take place on a one-to-one basis, giving finalists the opportunity to share their birding knowledge, tackle a range of identification challenges and spend time with some of the UK's most experienced birders.
The competition offers a unique opportunity to spend a day birding at one of the UK's premier migration hotspots and to be part of MigFest. Winners in each age category will receive an outstanding prize package, including binoculars and memberships to a range of leading birding organisations and publications. All finalists will gain valuable experience and create lasting memories at MigFest.
📅 Competition date: Saturday 12 September 2026
📝 Applications close: midnight, Sunday 19 July 2026
🔗 Apply now: https://forms.gle/UD4SiVbjCJuksHGu9
To be eligible, entrants must be aged 16 or under on Saturday 12 September 2026. Previous winners are not eligible to enter again in the same age category.
We know there are some exceptional young birders out there – help us find them! Please share this opportunity with young birdwatchers, schools, wildlife groups, youth organisations and families who may be interested.
Good luck to everyone applying – we look forward to welcoming the next generation of birding talent to MigFest 2026.
